I’ve been re-evaluating free antivirus programs. I think Microsoft Security Essentials is adequate if you don’t engage in risky behavior, and it doesn’t nag and doesn’t expire, both of which are good things. The best detection in the world is no good to you the day after it expires. If you want something better, the [...]
All posts tagged Microsoft Security Essentials
The best free antivirus
Posted by Dave Farquhar on March 16, 2013
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2013/03/the-best-free-antivirus/
The men (boys) who spy on women through webcams
Ars Technica made a bit of a splash this week with this provocative headline. This is real. The article gives the usual advice, like not opening e-mail from strangers, not clicking attachments from strangers, and not visiting dodgy websites. That’s all good advice, as is staying off torrent and other file sharing sites, but even [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on March 13, 2013
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2013/03/the-men-boys-who-spy-on-women-through-webcams/
How to save money on tech
CNN offered up some good tips on saving money on tech. But of course I want to analyze and comment on it myself. Anything else would be out of character.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on January 29, 2013
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2013/01/how-to-save-money-on-tech/
What to make of this Black Friday’s sub-$200 laptops
It’s still a couple of weeks off, but we already know two retailers will be offering sub-$200 laptops on the day the United States gorges itself on bargains. The question is, what do you get for your $200 on these minimalist laptops? I’ll answer those questions, then you can decide whether they’re worth $200 and [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on November 12, 2012
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2012/11/what-to-make-of-this-black-fridays-sub-200-laptops/
I can save you $99
Microsoft is willing to install a clean copy of Windows in its retail stores on any PC for a flat fee of $99. (Windows license not included, of course.) They’ll also optionally include Microsoft’s Windows Live Essentials programs, the ad-supported starter editions of Word and Excel, Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus, and Zune media player software.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 19, 2012
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2012/05/i-can-save-you-99/
Things I wish everyone knew about home computer security
I’m a security professional by trade, with two certifications. I’m not responsible for defending your computer networks, but I want your networks to be secure. There’s a really simple reason for that. If your computer and your network is secure, then it isn’t attacking mine. Or anyone else’s. Several fellow subscribers to a train-related interest [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on May 16, 2012
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2012/05/things-i-wish-everyone-knew-about-home-computer-security/
What’s going on with Macintosh security?
The latest figures I’ve read say there are perhaps a half-million infected Macintoshes still floating around out there, an improvement from the high of 600,000 that I was seeing a few weeks ago, but probably not what Apple had hoped after releasing its most recent fix. I argued three weeks ago that the end of [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on April 22, 2012
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2012/04/whats-going-on-with-macintosh-security/
Living with a past-its-prime computer
I’m playing catch-up a bit. This weekend, Lifehacker ran a guide about living with a computer that’s past its prime. I’ve made a career of that. One of my desktop PCs at work (arguably the more important one) is old enough that I ought to be preparing to send it off to second grade. And [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on February 28, 2012
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2012/02/living-with-a-past-its-prime-computer/
What I would do to fix Dr. A’s computer
I left my conversation with Dr. A nearly convinced he doesn’t really need a new computer. The local store is pitching him a new $700 Dell Inspiron with a 1 TB hard drive and 6 GB of RAM and a 17-inch screen. But he could upgrade to a 1 TB hard drive for less than [...]
Posted by Dave Farquhar on August 3, 2011
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2011/08/what-i-would-do-to-fix-dr-as-computer/
Removing the Windows XP Repair scareware
Windows XP Repair is a fake system optimization and repair tool. It takes over the computer almost completely, and it’s a pain to remove. Worse yet, there’s at least one version floating around right now that standard no antivirus/antimalware tool I threw at it recognized. Here’s how I removed it for someone.
Posted by Dave Farquhar on June 21, 2011
http://dfarq.homeip.net/2011/06/removing-the-windows-xp-repair-scareware/